Is there no balm in Gilead?

This one, this song is good for the nerves. It’s a balm. Especially these days with forces grabbing for our attention and slamming our poor bewildered lizard-brain repeatedly on the floor. We are worn out. Repeat song dose as many times as needed until brain inflammation and worry diminishes. Peace in.

I played it at my brother Brendan’s funeral service which took place in dreary and dark December, at the rear end of last year. Folks do be dying this winter at a shocking rate. Maybe some people are feeling they finally had enough and said to their soul - “OK time to go” sort of thing.

The Brothers Munnelly: Brendan and John by Miss Desi

Is there no balm in Gilead?

Is there no balm in Gilead,
Is there no peace in the storm?
My hope is still on the lord 
and I've asked him to see me home

Is there no Justice in this land, 
When will the corrupt turn to dust?
My hope is still on the lord 
and I've asked him if I can trust

Is there just idols and trumpery?
A people held captive, dry bones.
My hope is still on the lord 
and I've asked him to see me home. 

Is there no balm in Gilead,
Is there no healing for us?
A once great nation of iron
Is divided and turning to rust.

Is there no balm in Gilead,
Is there no peace in the storm?
My hope is still on the lord 
and I've asked him to see me home.

Song lyrics & tune by John Munnelly © November 2024

Is there no balm in Gilead, is there no peace in this storm? The sentiment feels ancient and I’m only re-fashioning it as new form. Like a repurposed piece of furniture for a new mansion we need to occupy. The mansion where our soul might rest temporarily and feel safe again. 

The journey is getting harder and the nature of our ‘in the world reality’ feels like it is crumbling. Still the stock market climbs higher every day, hmm if that is such good news, then why is everyone I meet (the ‘we the people’ part of America, not the stockholders) are mostly feeling so economically & culturally stressed? 

What is going on? Is it like a political diarrhea that will eventually pass, with our curses to the political bowl or is it a more major shift. The question seems to be will everyone bow down and serve the beast, or not? The corporations certainly are jostling in line to kiss a ring and drop a bundle to the orange capo di tutti capi (boss of bosses). Hopefully ‘we the people’ can organize into new powerful structures, integrated alliances encompassing both the weirdos and the uptight and over the next two and four years gestate a new form of representative power to stand up for all of us, not just some. It will need a new vehicle or structure that is neither of these two grand interlopers that preen and strut for voters attention and always sell us out for a peanut and small change.

Message moi:

If you feel I could do a little better with the recording quality, I do agree and suggest you send on encouragement … and failing that donations, cash, all of that good stuff that makes the rocking world of recording equipment and time, go around and around.

If you like this song, please do take a listen to more of my original songs on this MunnellyMutters Substack.